Exmouth, on the south Devon coastline, was one of several locations around the British Isles to host an event, used by many to drum up charity cash from well-wishers, while others treated it as an antidote to the Christmas Day hangover.

Elsewhere this morning, swimmers took the plunge into the Serpentine, in London's Hyde Park.

At Exmouth, 10 miles south of Exeter, more than 1,000 people, wearing costumes ranging from festively warm to barely-there, were estimated to have packed on to the beach shortly before 11am. A rousing rendition of We Wish You A Merry Christmas was swiftly followed by a stampede of brave swimmers into the waves.

Costumes included traditional Father Christmas outfits and elves' smocks, while daleks and other fictional television characters also made an appearance.

Others decided to take on the chilly, wind-whipped waves of Devon's Jurassic Coast wearing little more than a pair of skimpy trunks, two-piece bikini, or, in some cases, a mankini - the thong-like male bathing garment popularised by Sacha Baron Cohen's spoof documentary presenter Borat.

They included friends Luke Barker, 18, and Bradley Tregale, 17, from Exeter, who said they decided to don mankinis for the swim to raise money for charity.

"It's also my dad's birthday, so I was doing it for him as well," said Mr Barker.

"We thought we'd do something new at Christmas, rather than stay at home and watch TV or whatever. It's for a good cause, so why not?"

His friend added: "It was absolutely freezing, but at least we can say we've done it."

Suzanne Sanders, from Crawley in West Sussex, joined her eight-year-old daughter Sophie in the sea.

"It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be," she said.

"We're down here visiting grandparents and it's just a yearly thing - you have to do it if you're down visiting.

"I didn't expect so many people, the atmosphere was just lovely."

Local man and Exmouth swim veteran Kane Nowe, 31, was still shivering 10 minutes after getting dressed, having completed his short dash into the water, a few yards from shore, having been cheered on by partner Kim Wellman, 34.

"It's not quite as cold (as previous years)," he said.

Members of the RNLI watched as hundreds of people frolicked in the sea, cheered on by huge crowds on the seafront, as glorious sunshine and icy winds greeted the freezing revellers.

Tim Mock, of Exmouth lifeboat, said: "This has been happening for the last 25 years or so. It was the idea of a few lads, and the event has got bigger and bigger.

"They are having a good time, it's great-humoured here, people are well-behaved."